Lock flap carton folding and strapping machine



Sept. 22, 1959 L. WINKLER 2,905,066

LOCK FLAP CARTON FOLDING AND STRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1955 l3 Sheets-Sheet 1 inn!" Sept. 22, 195 9 A. L. WINKLER LOCK FLAP CARTON FOLDING AND STRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1955 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 22, 1959 A. L. WINKLER LOCK FLAP CARTON FOLDING AND STRAPPING MACHINE IIJVE'IJTQF 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 16. 1955 dmi h mnm Sept. 22, 1959 A. 1.. WINKLER 2,905,066

LOCK FLAP CARTON FOLDING AND ST'RAPPING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1955 l3 Sheets$heet 4 A. WINKLER 2,905,066

Sept. 22, 1959 LOCK FLAP CARTONXFOLDING AND STRAPPING MACHINE l3 sheets sheet 5 Filed May 16, 1955 L .Wimklu- Nd mwl A. L. WINKLER LOCK FLAP CARTON FOLDING AND STRAPPING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 @m; V am? mm o3 Sept; 22, 1959 Filed may 1a. 1955 Sept. 22, 1959 A. 1.. WINKLER 2,905,056

LOCK FLAP, CARTON FOLDINGAND STRAPPING MACHINE 4 Filed May 16, 1955 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 Aim Lmrm Sept. 22, 1959 A. L. WINKLER 2,905,066 LOCK FLAP CARTON FOLDING AND STBAPPING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1955 13 Sheets-Sheet a Sept. 22, 1959 A. L. WINKLER LOCK FLAP CARTONFOLDING AND STRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1955 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 fig.

I 1'75 igz 190 iaa Izzy-2.27. 77? Alma" L. WinMir E p 1959 A. L. WINKLER 2,905,066

LOCK FLAP CARTON FOLDING AND STRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1955 13 Sheets-Sheet 10 Sept. 22, 1959 A. L. WINKLER 2,905,066

LOCK FLAP CARTON FOLDING AND STRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1955 15 Sheets-Sheet 11 Almlm L.Wim|e11- Sept. 22, 1959 A. L. WINKLER 2,905,065

LOCK FLAP CARTON FOLDING AND STE RAPPING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1955' 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 J lgvz enjbr 247 Se t. 22, 1959 A. 1.. WINKLER 2,905,066

LOCK FLAP CARTON FOLDING AND STRAPPING MACHINE 1s Sheets-Sheet 13 Filed May 16, 1955 United States Patent LOCK FLAP CARTON FOLDING AND STRAPPING MACHINE Alvin L. Winkler, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Acme Steel Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 16, 1955, Serial No. 508,585

17 Claims. (Cl. 93-551) This invention relates to improvements in carton flap folding and strapping machines and its purpose is to pro vide an improved machine for closing a carton by providing mechanisms for folding the end flaps of a carton and the side flaps of an end cap into interlocking engagement with each other and then encircling them with metal binding straps which are drawn taut with overlapped ends sealed together to retain the flaps in their interlocked relationship.

In the field of packaging such articles as refrigerators, water heaters and other relatively large articles, fiberboard containers have come into rather wide use. Particularly, containers comprising square cross-section tubes provided with end caps having flaps folded and strapped into interlocking engagement with flaps on the ends of the tubes have been frequently used. Containers of this type are commonly referred to as lock flap cartons. Ordinarily, workmen are employed to manually fold the flaps into interlocking engagement and strap them. This practice is diflicult and cumbersome and usually requires several workmen due to the need to fold and hold flaps interlocked on four sides of the containers while at the same time applying binding straps. Because of these labor requirements, the practice has been very costly and the rate of production has been extremely low.

The principal object of the present invention is to pro vide an improved carton flap folding and strapping machine in Which the operations of folding the flaps on the tube ends and the end caps of lock flap carton into interlocking engagement and encircling them with metal binding straps are performed automatically under the con trol of a single operator who then causes the binding straps to be drawn taut and to be joined together at their ends to thus minimize the amount of manual labor re quired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton flap folding and strapping machine comprising means for folding the flaps on the carton and its end caps into interlocking engagement and means for encircling these interlocked flaps with a loop of strap, both means being arranged for movement to and from the carton whilethe carton remains in a fixed position.

Another object is the provision of a carton flap folding and strapping machine comprising strap loop encircling means having magnetic holding devices for retaining a strap in a loop encircling the carton preparatory to drawing the strap taut and joining together its ends.

It is another object of the invention to provide a carton flap folding and strapping machine comprising means for folding the flaps on the carton and its end caps into interlocking engagement on all sides of the carton simultaneously and means for encircling these interlocked flaps with a loop of strap, both means being operated by means of cams on interconnected camshafts operated by a single motor.

It is another object to provide a carton flap folding and strapping machine comprising means for folding the flaps on the carton and its end caps into interlocking engagement comprising safety means for preventing the machine operator from getting his hands caught in the flap folding and strap encircling mechanisms while the machine is operating.

Other objects relate to various features of construction and arrangement which appear more completely hereinafter and will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from a study of the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the carton flap folding and strapping machine with a strapped carton in position on the machine and associated with a conveyor line;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the bottom portion of a container comprising a fiberboard tube positioned above an end cap which is used to close this lower end of the tube by means of an interlocking flap arrangement;

Fig. 3 shows a cutaway and partial cross-sectional view of a lower corner of a carton similar to that as shown in Fig. 2 except that the flaps are shown in interlocked relationship and bound with a metal strap;

Fig. 4 shows a joint which may be formed for joining together the overlapped strap ends of a loop of strap encircling a carton;

Fig. 5 shows a front elevation of the machine shown in Fig. l, but with the front sheet metal shroud removed;

Fig. 6 shows a right side view of the machine shown in Fig; 5, likewise with the sheet metal shroud removed;

Fig. 7 shows an enlarged 'view in partial section of a portion of the right-hand side of the machine viewed toward the right in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view along the line 8-8 of 'Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a sectional plan view taken approximately along the line 10-10 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 shows a top plan view of the corner portion of the machine shown in the upper left-hand corner of Fig. 5;

Fig. 12 shows a sectional View along the line 12-12 of Fig. 11;

Figs. 13 through 18 show views of the flap folding and strap positioning members in successive positions during the operations of folding the flaps and positioning a strap around the folded and interlocked flaps;

Fig. 19 shows a partial sectional View of the magnetic clutch and brake assembly which is used to alternately start and stop the operations of the machine;

Fig. 20 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the electrical system for controlling the operations of the machine;

Fig. 21 shows a perspective view of a strap stretching tool in operating position as used in this invention;

Fig. 22 shows an end view of the tool shown in Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 shows a side view of a strap joint sealer tool in sealing position.

A preferred form of the machine 1, as shown in Fig. 1, has approximately a square shape in its plan view and is provided with a table 2 having rollers on which a carton can be easily moved into position. The machine 1 is preferably placed between two conveyor tables 4 and 5, both tables being provided with rollers for easy movement of containers over them and table 4 being positioned to lead cartons which are to be folded and strapped to the machine while table 5 is used to carry the folded and strapped cartons away from the machine. The side portions of the machine are covered with a sheet metal shroud 6 to conceal most of its internal mechanism to provide a more pleasant appearance and at the same time act as .a safety measure, covering up moving mechanisms which might otherwise harm an operator. Attached to the front side of the machine are two control boxes 8 and 9 provided with push buttons 249a and 250a for operating the electrical control components of the machine.

The particular lock flap container 3 to be closed by this machine 1 is particularly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and comprises a hollow square or rectangular cross-section tube which is the main portion of the container and which is provided with four flaps 12 extending both from its lower marginal edges and its upper marginal edges, thus providing a symmetrical tube having identical end portions. The flaps 12 are connected at corners provided with score lines 12a. The end cap 13 which covers an end of the tube 10 consists of a flat square body portion 14 provided with four flaps 15 extending outwardly from its margins approximately twice as far as the flaps 12 on the tube 10. These flaps 15 are provided with score lines 15a midway of their length and score lines 1512 .where they are connected to the body portion 14.

Inorder to close the end of a tube 10 with an end cap 13, the flaps 12 and 15 are folded around each other in a manner as shown in Fig. 3 and are retained in place by means of a strap 16. A flap 12 is folded back toward an outside wall of the tube 10 with a flap 15 extended into a space between the flap 12 and the side wall of the tube 10. Flap 15 then passes around the outside of the flap 12 and downwardly to where it is connected to the that body portion 14 of the end cap 13. The strap 16 is in the form of a continuous loop having two overlapping strap ends 17 and 18 joined together by means of a tubular metal seal 19 encircling the strap ends and deformed to be interlocked therewith. A preferred seal joint'is shown particularly in Fig. 4. It is a conventional type of seal joint which is made with a standard sealing tool which cuts through the combined seal and strap ends to provide depressed tabs 20 for an interlocking fastening arrangement preventing the metal strap ends 17 and 18 from pulling apart.

Having described the machine generally and the particular carton upon which it acts specifically, the machine will now be discussed in greater detail.

All of the mechanisms associated with the machine 1 are supported in some manner on a frame 21 comprising four vertical support legs 22, 23, 24 and 25 which rest on the floor or ground. As shown in Fig. 10, these legs are joined together by means of inverted T-shaped braces 26, 27 and 28. Brace 26 extends between legs 22 and 24 diagonally of the machine. Brace 27 extends between leg 23 and brace 26. Brace 28 extends between leg 25 and the brace 26. Braces 27 and 28 are in alignment with each other and also extend diagonally of the machine. In the area of the intersection of these braces 26, 27 and 28, at the center of the machine, is a flat square gusset plate 29 welded to the bottom surfaces of the braces. This gusset plate 29 supports blocks 30, 31, 32 and 33 on its upper marginal surface and these blocks are each provided with three upstanding yokes 34, 35 and 36. Each of these yokes is provided with pivot pins 37, 38 and 39 which pivotally support the inner ends of arms 40, 41 and 42, respectively. Each of these blocks 30, 31, 32 and 33 are identical and they carry identical arms which are used for identical purposes even though they act on four different sides of the machine. These arms 40, 41 and 42 are provided with roller type cam followers 43, 44 and 45 which engage irregular shaped cam grooves 46, 47 and 48 cut in the faces of cams 49, 50 and 51. When the machine operates, these cams rotate to cause pivotal movement of these arms 40, 41 and 42 to perform functions which will be described.

Considering the front side of the machine correspond- ;ing to the position of block 30 on the gusset plate 29, the three cams 49, 50 and 51 are mounted on a camshaft 52 which is provided at its very ends with two additional cams 53 and 54. These cams are provided with grooves 55 and 56 which engage roller type cam followers 57 and 58, respectively. These followers are mounted on arms 59 and 60 which have their inner ends pivoted on pins 61 and 62 which are mounted on the outside of plates 63 and 64. These plates are in turn fastened to the legs 25 and 22, respectively. The camshaft 52 is mounted in bearings 65 and 66 which are also mounted on these plates 63 and 64. A short distance inward of these plates 63 and 64 the camshaft 52 is provided with bevel gears 67 which in turn mesh with other bevel gears 68; These bevel gears are mounted at the ends of other camshafts 69 and 70. Both of the camshafts 69 and 70 are provided with cams 49, 58 and 51 which are identical to those on the front of the machine and similarly positioned relative to the camshafts 69 and 70. Also, as just mentioned, they actuate identical cam follower arms 40, 41 and 42 on two sides of the machine. The opposite ends of these camshafts 69 and 70 are provided with additional bevel gears 71 which engage bevel gears 67 on the rear camshaft 72 which is identical to the front camshaft 52. The camshaft 72 is provided with identical parts as on camshaft 52 such as earns 49, 50, 51, 53 and 54 which actuate similar cam follower arms 40, 41, 42, 59 and 60 to cause them to perform identical functions at the rear of the machine. The camshafts 69 and 70 are mounted for support in bearings 73 which are fastened by means of bolts to the plates 63a and 64a which are in turn fastened to legs 23 and 24, respectively. All of the camshafts 52, 69, 70 and 72, because their respective bevel gears are meshed with each other, rotate together. And, because all eight of the bevel gears are identical in diameter and number of teeth, these camshafts all rotate at the same speed. Also, since similarly numbered cams are provided with identical grooves, the cam follower arms actuate through similar paths of travel.

In order to rotate these camshafts, the camshaft 52 is provided with a triple chain type sprocket 74 adjacent the cam 51. As particularly shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 19, this sprocket 74 is driven by a triple row chain 75 by means of a pinion 76 which is mounted at the end of a shaft 77. This shaft 77 is mounted in two bearings 78 and 79. Bearing 78 is mounted in a support 80 which in turn is fastened to a plate 81 by means of screws 82. Bearing 79 is mounted on a channel beam 83 which in turn is welded to the plate 81. Plate 81 is supported between and fastened to two channel beams 84 and 85. These beams 84 and 85 are in turn mounted between two other channel beams 86 and 87 which are secured by welding between the legs 22, 23, 24 and 25 of the frame 21. Beam 86 is connected between legs 24 and 87 while beam 85 is connected between legs 23 and 22. In addition to the cam follower arms 41 "actuated by the four earns 50, four additional arms 88 are actuated through an additional roller type cam follower 89 which rolls around in a groove cut in the face of the cam 50 on the side opposite to that in which the groove 47 is cut. As shown best in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 9, these arms 88 are pivoted at their ends to pins 90 which are mounted in brackets 91 welded to the underside of channel shaped members 92, 93, 84 and 85. Members 84 and 85 have already been described, but members 92 and 93 (Fig. 9) are suspended from and welded to the lower surface of the square plate 81 which, as already described, is part of the main frame 21 of the machine.

So far, then, all of the main cams and the arms which they directly actuate have been described.

As particularly shown in Fig. 19 there are a brake 94 and a clutch 95. Both the brake and the clutch are conventional purchased parts. The brake 94 consists of an annular coil 96 surrounded by a housing 97 which is secured to the support bracket 80 by means of screws 98. Forward of the coil 96 is a braking material 99 which provides a friction surface when the brake is operated. Contacting, when the brake is energized, with the wearing surface 99 is an annular brake disc 100. This disc is slidably supported on shafts 101 which in turn are screwed into an annular drum 102,, This 102 is fixed relative to :caused to rotate.

tionof the drum v102 and the clutch housing 97a.

the shaft 77 to which it is keyed is stopped.

to the brake 94. It has an annular clutching surface 99a and a clutch disc 100a.

It also has a housing 97a. However, this housing 97a is directly fastened to the drum 102 rather than to a support bracket. The clutch disc 100a ofthe clutch 95 is slidably mounted on shafts 101 which are screwed into a-sprocket 109 rotatably mounted on the shaft 77 by means of two bearings 110.

To provide electricalcurrent to the brake coil 96, it is supplied through two wires 11-1 and 112 leading into the coil. The clutch coil 108 is provided with current through thetwo wires 107 and 107a connected to the brass rings 105 and -106 by way of brushes 113 and 114 mounted in a fixed brush housing 115.

In operation, when the brake is energized, the clutch is deenergized and when the brake is deenergized the clutch is energized. Such an arrangement provides instant starting and instant stopping. In order to rotate the shaft 77, a motor 116, shown in Figs. 6 and 8, is provided witha sprocket 117 which drives a double chain 118 which in turn drives'the sprocket109. With the clutch coil 108 energized and the brake coil 96 deenergized, this sprocket 109 rotates the clutch 95 through the clutch disc 10011 which now contacts the clutching surface 99a because of the magnetic field induced by the current in theclutch coil 108. The clutch disc is actually driven by the shafts 101 which in turn are driven by the sprocket 109 to whichthey are attached. Since the brake coil 96 isdeenergized at this time, the brake 100 is free to rotate with the clutch assemblyas it is turned by means of the shafts 101 fastened to the clutch drum 102. Since the drum 102 is-keyed to the shaft 77, .the shaft 77 is thus -When it is desired to stop rotation of the shaft 77, the brake 94 is energized and the clutch 95 is deenergized. When this occurs, the clutch disc 100a is no longer urged into contact with the annular clutching surface 99a on the clutch and, consequently, the clutch disc 100a continues to rotate freely with the sprocket 109 alongwith the motor 116. With the brake -energized,'the brake disc 100 is forced intocontact with the braking surface 99 on the brake to thereby stop rota- Since the drum 102 is. prevented from further rotation, likewise, Stopping shaft 77 stops rotation of the pinion 76 which in turn stops rotation of all of the camshafts 52, 69, 70 and 72. By alternately energizing and deenergizing the clutch and the brake in this manner, the camshafts are rotated or stopped in relatively short time intervals even though the motor 116 continues to rotate.

As shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12, four shafts 119 are provided. Each of these shafts 119 is journalled in two bearings .120 mounted in corner castings-121 secured to the upper portions of the frame legs 22, 23, 24 and 25. Each of these shafts 119 is provided at its midportion with a block 122 fixed at its one end to the shaft. Its other end is pivoted by a pin 123 to the upper end of a 1ink124 whose lower end is hinged by a pin 125 to the lever arm 88. At the outer ends of each of these shafts 119 are provided two spur gears 126 which are keyed in position. 'Mounted in bearings 127 and 128, one directly above and the other directly below the bearing 120 in the corner casting 121, are shafts 129 and 130 provided with small gears 131 and 132. The outer hubs of these gears the machine are fastened to opposite ends of a holding bar 138. During its operation, a cam 50 causes its lever arm 88 to pivotally reciprocate up and down to cause alternate clockwise and then counterclockwise rotation of the spur gear'126 to cause the holding bar arms 137 to be raised and lowered in an arcuate path, as will be described, to move the holding bar through a similar path. This holding bar is used to hold certain carton flap portions down while another is foldedaround it as will later be explained.

In order to fold certain flaps in cooperation with the holding bar 138, additional folding means are required. On each of the three sides of the machine except the front side, an additional shaft 139 isprovided and it is mounted in bearings 140-mounted in the corner castings 121. As best shown in Figs. 6 and 9, eachshaft 139 is end is fastened by screws to a block 151 fastened at its inner end to the arm141. The effect of this arrangement with the spring 149 is to urge bar 147 away from the folding bar 143.

In order to cause the folding arms 141 to be rotated to fold carton flaps, the shafts 139 must be rotated. As best shown in Figs. 11 and 12, each of the shafts 139 is journalled between two blocks 152 which are slidably mounted in vertical guideways 153 formed in the corner castings 121. Immediately inside these sliding blocks 152, the ends of the shafts 139 are provided with pinions 154 which engage teeth in a vertically sliding rack 155. Movement of the rack relative to the block 152 causes rotation of pinions 154 to therebycause rotation of the folding arms 141. The lower endof each rack 155 is pivotally connected by a pin 156 to the upper end of a link 157 whose lower end is connected to a horizontal bar 158. This horizontal bar 158 is provided with two depending yokes 159 which pivotally connect to the outer ends of arms 40 and 42. Thus, when the camshafts are rotated, the cams 49 and 51 cause the arms 40 and 42 to a pivotally reciprocate up and down and cause the folding arms 141 to rotate first in one direction and then the other.

Again, as viewed in Fig. 12, since it is necessary to ralse the folding arms 141 to their folding positions before rotatingthenr to fold carton flaps, additional shafts 160 are provided on all four sides of the machine. These shafts 160 are mounted in bearings 161 in the corner castings 121. They are provided adjacent their ends with pinions 162 which engage racks 163 fastened to the sliding blocks 152. Rotation of these pinions 162 occurs during vertical upward and downward movement of these sliding blocks 152. The lower ends of each of these blocks 152 are pivoted by pins 164 to the upper ends of adjustable links 165 whose lower ends are fastened to ends of the horizontal arms 166. At the mid point of each of these arms 166 is provided a depending yoke 167 pivotally connected to the outer end of a lever arm 41. Thus, when the camshafts are rotated, the cams 50 cause vertical reciprocation of these lever arms 41 and thus cause rotation of the pinions 162. The purpose of these pinions 162 which act as idlers, is to compensate for any tendency to bind which would otherwise be present, between the walls of the vertical guideways 153 and those of the blocks 152 which slide therein. These pinions, then, overcome what might be termed a transom latch effect due to the relative shortness of the vertical guideways 153.

On the front side of the machine, as particularly viewed In Figs. 5 and 11, the flap folding members are different 7 than those associated with folding bars 143 on the other three sides of the machine. Instead of a long folding bar 143, two short folding bar-s 143a are provided between the extremities of spaced apart C-shaped folding arms 141a which are identical in shape to arms 141. These arms 141a are mounted on short shafts 139a which are in turn mounted between two sliding blocks 152 slidably mounted in vertical guideways 153 attached to the machine frame 21. Because of the use of two short shafts 139a rather than a long one on this front 'side of the machine, there are four sliding blocks 152 and four guideways 153 rather than two each as on the other three sides of the machine. Also, because of this, there are a total of four of the racks 155 and 163, the pinions 154 and'162, and the links 157 and 165 and their related parts. Likewise, these arms 141a are provided with short auxiliary holding bars 147a which connect between two J-shaped arms 145a which are pivoted on the arms 141a in the same manner as arms 145 are pivoted on arms 141. Similarly flat springs 149a react against bars 148a connected between the two arms 145a. These springs 14911 are connected to blocks 151a which are in turn connected to the arms 141a. Thus, the front of the machine is provided with two short folding bars 143a, one on either side of the machine. As viewed in Fig. 5, this leaves a space 168 clear at the front of the machine where a strap stretching tool 169 and a sealing tool 170 can be manually operated after a strap loop has been positioned around the carton.

After the holding bars 138 and the folding bars 143 and 143a are actuated, the L-shaped strap retaining members 171 are raised into position to complete the flap folding and to position a strap loop around the interlocked flaps. On all three sides of the machine, except its front, these strap retaining members consist of end blocks 172 which are fastened by means of screws 173 to a plate 174 and these blocks 172 support three identical rollers 175. which are mounted between. two of them on each side of the machine. Each of these plates 174 are fastened to the upper end 176 of a round plunger 177. Each of these plungers 177 is slidably mounted through holes in pads 178 which are a part of the corner castings 121. These pads are particularly shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. The lower end of each of these plungers 177 is pivotally connected to the end of one of the arms 59 or 60. Thus, when all of the main cams are rotated, cams 53 and 54 cause pivotal reciprocating motion of the levers 59 and 60 to cause the strap retaining members 171 to be raised and lowered.

On the front of the machine, as particularly viewed in Fig. 11, the strap retaining members 171a are shorter than the corresponding members 171 positioned along the other three sides of the machine. But, they are of similar construction. These strap retaining members 171a have end plates 172a and 17217. The end plates 172a are mounted on the plates 174 in the same manner as the end plates 172, but the end plates 1721) are mounted on inner ends 174a of these plates 174. Mounted between the end plates-172a and 17212 are short rollers 175a whose length corresponds to the spacing of these end plates 172a and 17212. The reason that these strap retaining members 171a are short and provided one on either side of the front of the machine is to leave the space 168 available for hand manipulation of the strapping tools 169 and 170 as previously mentioned.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, to provide additional support for the three shafts 119 on the three sides of the machine except the front, brackets 179, 180 and 181 are provided. They extend angularly upward to the region of the shafts 119 and their lower ends are fastened by bolts 182 to frame members 86, 87 and 183. Frame members 86 and 87 have already been described, but frame member 183 is mounted between legs 23 and 24.

.The upper ends of these brackets 179, 180 and 181 are 8 provided with journals 184 which fit around the shafts 119.

Additional support is also given to the two cainshafts 52 and 72. The lower extension of the bracket 181 is provided with a bearing 185 which surrounds and supports the center of the shaft 72 while an additional bracket 186 is fastened to the frame 21 by means of screws 187 and extends downwardly to support the central portion of the shaft 52 by means of a bearing or iournal188.

The table 2 on which a carton is supported is provided with rollers 189 which are journalled in the side members of the table 2 between the front and rear of the machine. As shown particularly in Figs. 6, 9 and 11, additional rollers 190 and 191 are provided at both ends of the machine. The rollers 190 are divided-into groups of two each at the four corners of the machine and are journalled in brackets 192 which are fastened to the vertical guideways 153. The rollers 191 are divided into two groups of four each with a group at each end of the machine and centrally located laterally. These rollers 191 are journalled on a shaft 193 which is mounted on a bracket 194 fastened to the upper end of each of the brackets 179 and 180. These rollers 190 and 191 provide additional free rolling support for a carton being moved over the machine from a conveyor 4 leading to the machine and to a conveyor 5 at the exit of the machine.

The functional operations of the machine are shown in their sequence of movement in Figs. 13 through 18 where the basic flap folding and strap positioning members are somewhat diagrammatically shown. When the machine is at rest, all parts are in the positions as shown in Figs. 5 through 12. The main holding bars 138, the folding bars 143, the auxiliary holding bars 147 and the strap retaining members 171 are all below the upper surface of the table 2. At this time, a carton end cap 13 is placed on the table with its end marginal flaps 15 positioned as shown in Fig. 13. Upon this end cap is placed the carton tube 10 with its end flaps 12 aligned as shown in Fig. 13. With the carton parts in place, a holding bar 138 is rotated from its position as shown in dotted lines in the direction of the arrow 195 to its position as shown in bold outline in Fig. 13,where it rests against a score line 15a of the end cap flap 15 and also upon the outer edge of a flap 12. At this time,

this holding bar 138 retains the flaps 12 and 15 clamped against the upper roller 175 of a strap retaining member 171. As shown in Fig. 14 a sliding block 152 is raised slightly as the rack 155 causes an arm 141 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. This rotation causes the folding bar 143 to push the outer half of a flap 15 to a vertical position around the holding bar 138 to position it at a right angle to the remaining half of the flap. As shown in Fig. 15, after the outer half of the flap 15 is folded beyond the vertical to thereby interlockingly confine the flap 12, the holding bar 138 is then retracted through an arc to a higher position clear of the folding arm 141 which is then rotated further counterclockwise to a position where the holding bar 143 contacts a corner between the carton tube 10 and the flap 15. At this time, the auxiliary holding bar 147 holds the outer half of a flap 15 in a position where this outer half is folded back upon its inner half. Next, as shown in Fig. 16, the strap retaining member 171 is raised to fold the now folded flap 15 up against the side of the carton tube 10. At this time, the auxiliary holding bar 147 is deflected against the force of its leaf spring 149 toward the folding bar 143. After the folded flap 15 is once removed angularly well beyond its horizontal position, this bar 147 is no longer needed for retaining the flap 15 folded since the flapis now prevented from unfolding as its outer edge contacts the outer wall of the carton tube 10. Then, as shown in Fig. 17, when the folded flap 15 is angularly far beyond its'horizontal 9. position, as the strap retaining member continues to urge it angularly, the folding am 141 is rapidly rotated out of the way in a clockwise direction. The strap retaining member 171 continues upwardly until the flaps have achieved their final folded and interlocked positions as shown in Fig. 18. At this time, the strap loop 16 which had previously been positioned in the strap retaining members 171 is drawn taut and fastened by means of the hand tools 169 and 170 manipulated by the machine operator.

The strap loop 16 is positioned along the face 1710 of these strap retaining members prior to the positioning of a carton. The strap loop is held in place by means of U-shaped magnets 17112 positioned adjacent the ends of these strap retaining members 171 and also 171a. These magnets are particularly shown in Figs. 11 and 12. It

has been found that magnets 1712; are necessary only in the two front members 171a since the resilience of the strap itself holds the strap loop against the members 171. But, for additional holding ability, magnets can be provided in the members 171 also, as described.

After all of the folding is completed and the strap is in place, the parts are all returned to their original positions as shown in Figs. through 12. Another strap loop is then placed in the strap retaining members 171 in preparation for the next operating cycle.

Even though I have just described the operations of the folding bars 138 on all four sides of the machine and the operations of the members 143, 147 and 171 which are on only three sides of the machine except the front, the shorter members 143a, 147a and 171a on the front side of the machine operate in an identical manner.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 8, the strap stretching tool 169 and the sealer tool 170 are both mounted on a shaft 196 which is mounted at its ends in two brackets 19 7 mounted to depend from the inner ends of the strap retaining members 171a on the front side of the machine. A bracket 198 below the shaft 196 is connected between these two members 197. The lower ends of each of these tools 169 and 170 are pivoted by means of sleeves 199 and 200 on the shaft 196 so that the upper ends of the tools can be placed at or removed from strapping position. With this arrangement, the shaft 196 is raised and lowered along with the strap retaining members 171 and' 17 1a and, thus, the tools are raised or lowered accordingly. Since the upper ends of the strapping tools are in alignment with the level of the plane of the strap loop 16 when one is placed in the strap retaining members, these tools remain in alignment because they move with the strap retaining members.

Even though many different varieties of strap stretching and sealing tools are available and could be used with this machine, a preferred air operated strap stretcher 169 is shown in Figs. 21 and 22 while one form of a sealer 170 is shown in Fig. 23.

The particular air operated strap stretcher comprises a conventional rotary type air motor 201 which is provided with an inlet of high pressure air through conduit 202 An air valve 203 is provided for permitting air to enter through conduit 202 to operate the air motor or to shut off the air supply from the air motor. The upper end of the air motor 201 is connected to a housing 204 which contains a gear reducing mechanism. This gear reducing mechanism is connected to the shaft 205 which carries a wheel 206 which rotates with the shaft 205. The wheel 206 is provided with serrated teeth 215 on its periphery. The shaft 205 is fixed, except for rotation, relative to the housing 204. A strap rest plate 207 is provided at right angles to and at the lower end of an arm 208 which ispivoted on a pin 209 to the gear housing 204; The strap rest plate 207 is provided with a strap seat 210 which is threaded into the strap rest plate 207 and isprovided onits upper surface with sharp teeth 2111. A spring 212 reacts between asurface 213 on the gear housing and the bottom of a hole 214 in the arm 208 to-cause the strap seat-210 toibe urged'intocontact with. the wh'eel 206; At the outer end. of. the arm208 is provided a projection 216 whose lower surface 217 is opposite a surface 218 on a release lever 219 pivoted on a pin.220 to the gear housing 204. When the upper portion 221. of the lever 219 is depressed, it is pivoted against the action of a spring 222 and causes the strap seat 210 to be separated from the wheel 206 as surface 218 contacts surface 217 and moves plate 208 against the pressure of spring 212. Such a release movement is necessary to provide for the insertion of the two strap ends 17 and 18 which are placed one above theother between these members. When the strap ends have been positioned properly, the lever 2 19 is released and strap seat 210 again is urged toward the wheel 206. This time, however, the strap seat 210 rests against the lower surface of the strap end 218 while the teeth of'the wheel 206 press against the upper surface of the strap end 17. The extreme end 223 of the lever 219 is'hooked over to provide a strap guide. It is retracted when the lever 219 is depressed. With the strap ends in place, the air valve 203 is operated by depressing an arm 224, permitting air to enter the air motor 201 through conduit 202 to in turn cause rotation of the motor. This causes rotation .of the gears within the gear housing204 and causes the wheel 206 to be rotated. Rotating this wheel 206 causes strap end 17 to slide across strap end 18 which remains fixed relative to the strap seat 210. In this manner, the strap loop is shrunk in size and tensioned around the interlocked flaps Hand 15 of the container. Because the pivot pin 209 is angularly displaced from the plane of. the strap seat 210, as the strap loop tension is built up, the strap seat 210 is urged morestrongly into contact with the wheel 206 to prevent slippage of the upper strap end 17 relative to the wheel 206 and. the lower strap end 18 relative to the strap seat/210..

As shown in Fig. 23,. thelconventional sealer tool used has a sealer head 225 with two operating arms 226 and 227 which are used to operate the linkages contained in the sealer head 225 for sealing together the strap ends 17 and 18. The particular strapping tool shown in this Fig. 23 is one which is identical to that which is shown and claimed in US. Patent 1,974,913, issued September 25, 1934, to; William C. Childress. Of course, as already mentioned,'other sealingtools maybe used depending upon the type of leverage required and the type of joint preferred.

The electrical control circuits for the machine are shown schematically in Fig. 20. Two wires 228 and 22-9' are connected to a source of alternating voltage. A master switch 230 connects these wires 228 and 229 to two fuses 23 1 which in turnare connected to two wires 232 and 233. These wires connectto two wires 234 and 235 which lead into wires 236 and 237 connected to the electric motor 116. At the lower end of these wires 234 and 235. are two wires 238 and'239 which provide voltage to a rectifier 240 to provide a direct current voltage across wires 241 and 242. When the master switch 230 is closed, alternating current is supplied to both a motor 116 and the rectifier 240 to start rotation of the motor and also supply direct current between the wires 241 and 242. Connected to the wires 24 1 and 242 are two short wires'107 and 243. Wire 107 connects with a wire .112 while a Wire 243 connects to a wire 244. A branch circuit connects between the intersections of wires 107, 1.12 and 243, 244 and comprises a clutch coil 108, the wire 107a, a rheostat 245 and a switch 246. The lower ends of wires 1 12 and 244 connect to another branch circuit comprising a brake coil 96, a wire 111, a rheostat 247 and a switch 248. Both of these branch circuits including a clutch coil and a brake coil are those providedwith direct current from the rectifier 240. Connected between the wires 234 and 235 is a branch circuit consisting of two switches 249, 250, switch 251 and a relay 252. Inparallel with portions of this branch are in positions corresponding to those of Fig. 18.

circuit are two other circuits comprising a switch 253 and a relay 254 in one circuit and a switch 255 and a relay 256 in the second circuit. A holding switch 257 is provided iii-parallel with the switch 255. Still another switch 258 is connected from a point between switch 253 and relay 254 to a point between switch 251 and a relay 252.- Switches 246 and 248 are contact switches actuated by relay 252, while switches 255 and 258 are contact switches actuated by relay 254. Switches 251 and 257 are contact switches actuated by relay 256.

When the master switch 230 is closed and the motor 116 is started and direct current is made available between the wires 241 and 242, the switch 248 being already closed causes the brake coil 96 to be energized. This keeps the shaft 77 idle and, likewise, all of the cam shafts 52, 69, 70 and 72. Further, at this time, the clutch coil 108 is deenergized since the svw'tch 246 is then open.

When it is desired to start rotation of the camshafts and begin the folding of the carton flaps, the two switches 249 and 250 are closed simultaneously by pressing their switch buttons 294a and 250a which are shown on the front of the machine in Fig. 1. They are purposely positioned at a distance from each other so that the machine operator is required to use both hands when pressing these buttons. This keeps his handsoccupied and prevents them from becoming caught in the machine mechanisms. Further, since these switch buttons are spring returned, the operator must keep them depressed, otherwise the machine will stop. Upon actuating these switches 249 and 250, the relay 252 is energized through the switch 251. Energizing this relay 252 closes switch 246 and opens 248. Doing so, de-energizes the brake coil 96 and energizes the clutch coil 108 with a consequent rotation of the camshafts 52, 69, 70 and 72 to start the operations of the machine. As shown in Fig. 6, switch 253 is mounted on the frame 21 of the machine and -is provided with an arm having aroller 253a for actuating it. When the machine starts up, the roller 253a rests on a raised portion 259 of the cam 53. As the cam 53 rotates, the roller falls off of this raised portion 259 and closes the switch 253. This energizes therelay 254 which in turn closes the switches 25S and 258. Switch 258 acts as a holding switch to then keep relay 254 energized. Closing switch 255 energizes relay 256. Energizing relay 256 closes switch 257 which acts as a holding switch to keep relay 256 energized and also opens switch 251. Opening switch 251 prevents continued rotation of the camshaft when switch 253 is later opened. The camshafts continue to rotate to approximately 270 degrees of rotation, at which time all of the folding has been completed and all parts of the machine At this time the roller 253a rides up onto a raised portion 260 on the cam SS-and this causes switch 253 to be opened again. Opening this switch deenergizes relay 254 to again open switches 255 and 258. Opening switch 255 has noeffect at this time since holding switch 257 is still'closed to-keep relay 256 energized. Opening switch 258 prevents continued energization of relay 254 when switch 251 is again closed. Also, opening switch 253 deenergizes relay 252 which in turn opens switch 246 to free the clutch and closes switch 248 to apply the brake and thereby stop rotation of the camshafts. At this time when all of the mechanized parts of the machine are stopped, switches 249 and 250 are opened to deenergize relay 256. Deenergizing relay 256 opens up switch 257 and closes switch 251. At this time all of the electrical components are returned to their original opsitions, as shown in Fig. 20, even though all of the mechanical .parts of the machine are in stationary positions corresponding to those of Fig. 18.

In order to return the parts fromtheir 'opsitions'correspending to Fig. 18 to their original. positions indicated by Figs. 5 through 12, the switches 249 and 250 are again closed. The entire electrical cycle of operation is repeated for the last ninety degrees of rotation of the Camshafts which corresponds to the smaller angular distance between the raised portions 260 and 259 on the cam 53. Such an operation returns all of the parts to their original positions ready to begin a complete new operating cycle. To emphasize the relationship between the electrical and mechanical portions of the machine, the electrical cycle operates twice for each single complete mechanical cycle of the machine.

From this description it should be apparent that a machine has been provided which can quickly and efficiently fold together the flaps on an end cap with those of the main body tube of a lock flap carton and position a strap loop about them to provide an economical means of end closure. As shown in Fig. 1, the container 3 can first be closed on one end and then inverted and closed on its other end with one machine. Otherwise, one end cap can be applied by another machine at a different station and the second one applied at a first station. Although one form of the machine has been shown in a particular manner, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that it may be constructed in different ways with slight modifications without departing from the true scope of the appended claims defining the invention.

I claim:

1. A machine for end closure of containers wherein each container is characterized by a body tube having end flaps folded into interlocking engagement with marginal flaps on an end cap comprising, support means for supporting the unfolded end cap beneath the body tube with the end flaps resting flatly on the marginal flaps, means for holding the end flaps in contact with the inner portions of the marginal flaps and inner portions of the marginal flaps against the support means, and means for folding the outer portions of the marginal flaps around the end fiaps into interlocking engagement with them.

2. A machine for end closure of containers wherein each container is characterized by a body tube having end flaps folded into interlocking engagement with marginal flaps on an end cap comprising, support means for supporting the unfolded end cap beneath the body tube with the end flaps resting flatly on the marginal flaps, means for holding the end flaps in contact with the inner portions of the marginal flaps and the inner portions of the marginal flaps against the support means, means for folding the outer portions of the marginal flaps around the end flaps into interlocking engagement 'with them, and means for folding the interlocked marginal flaps and end flaps against the body tube.

3. A machine for end closure of containers wherein each container is characterized by a body tube having end flaps folded into interlocking engagement with marginal flaps on an end cap comprising, support means for supporting the unfolded end cap beneath the body tube with the end flaps resting flatly on the marginal flaps, means for holding the end flaps in contact with the inner portions of the marginal flaps and the inner portions of the marginal flaps against the support means, means for folding the outer portions of the marginal flaps around the end flaps into interlocking engagement with them,

means for folding the interlocked marginal flaps and end flaps against the body tube including means for encircling the interlocked flaps with a strap loop.

4. A machine for end closure of containers wherein each container is characterized by a body tube having end flaps folded into interlocking engagement with marginal flaps on an end cap comprising support means for supporting the unfolded end cap beneath the body tube with the end flaps resting flatly on the marginal flaps, means for holding the end flaps in contact with the inner portions of the marginal flaps and the inner portions of the marginal flaps against the support means, means for folding 13 the outer portions of the marginal flaps around the end flaps into interlocking engagement with them, meansfor folding the interlocked marginal flaps and end flaps against the body tube including means for encircling the interlocked flaps with a strap loop, said last means releasably retaining the strap loop.

5. A machine for end closure of containers wherein each container is characterized by a body tube having end flaps folded into interlocking engagement with marginal flaps on an end cap comprising support means for supporting the unfolded end cap beneath the body tube with the end flaps resting flatly on the marginal flaps, means for holding the end flaps in contact with the inner portions of the marginal flaps and the inner portions of the marginal flaps against the support means, means for folding the outer portions of the marginal flaps around the end flaps into interlocking engagement With them, means for folding the interlocked marginal flaps and end flaps against the body tube including means for encircling the interlocked flaps with a strap loop, said last means releasably retaining the strap loop by means of magnets.

6. A machine for end closure of containers wherein each container is characterized by a body tube having end flaps folded into interlocking engagement with marginal flaps on an end cap comprising means for holding the end flaps in contact with the marginal flaps, means for folding the marginal flaps around the end flaps into interlocked position with them, and means for encircling the interlocked flaps with a strap loop, said last means releasably retaining the strap loop.

7. A machine for end closure of containers wherein each container is characterized by a body tube having end flaps folded into interlocking engagement with marginal flaps on an end cap comprising, means for holding the end flaps in contact with the marginal flaps, means for folding the marginal flaps around the end flaps into interlocked engagement with them, and means for encircling the interlocked flaps with a strap loop, said last means releasably retaining the strap loop by means of magnets.

8. A machine for end closure of containers wherein each container is characterized by a body tube having end flaps folded into interlocking engagement with marginal flaps on an end cap comprising, suppolt means for supporting the unfolded end cap beneath the body tube with the end flaps resting flatly on the marginal flaps, means for holding the end flaps in contact with the inner portions of the marginal flaps and the inner portions of the marginal flaps against the support means, means for folding the outer portions of the marginal flaps around the end flaps into interlocking engagement with them, means for folding the interlocked marginal flaps and end flaps against the body tube including means for encircling the interlocked flaps with a strap loop, all of said holding and folding means being operated by cam actuated levers.

9. A machine for end closure of containers wherein each container is characterized by a body tube having end flaps folded into interlocking engagement with marginal flaps on an end cap comprising, support means for supporting the unfolded end cap beneath the body tube with the end flaps resting flatly on the marginal flaps, means for holding the end flaps in contact with the inner portions of the marginal flaps and the inner portions of the marginal flaps against the support means, means for folding the outer portions of the marginal flaps around the end flaps into interlocking engagement with them, means for folding the interlocked marginal flaps and end flaps against the body tube including means for encircling the interlocked flaps with a strap loop, all of said holding and folding means being operated by levers actuated from power driven cams.

10. A machine for end closure of containers wherein each container is characterized by a body tube having end flaps folded into interlocking engagement with marginal flaps on an end cap comprising, means for folding 14 together the end flaps of the body tube-andthe marginal flaps of the end cap into interlocked engagement, .1 and means for folding the interlocked end flaps and marginal flaps against the body tube and encircling the interlocked flaps with a strap loop, all of said means being actuated by a power means.

11. A machine for end closure of containers wherein each container is characterized by abody tube-having end flaps folded into interlocking engagement with marginal flaps on an end cap comprising, means for folding together the end flaps of the body tube into interlocked engagement with the marginal flaps of the end cap, and means for folding the interlocked end flaps and marginal flaps against the body tube and encircling the interlocked flaps with a strap loop, said last means carrying astrapping tool into operating position.

12. A machine for end closure of containers wherein each container is characterized by a body tube having end flaps folded into interlocking engagement with marginal flaps on an end cap comprising, means for folding together the end flaps of the body tube into interlocked engagement with the marginal flaps of the end cap and means for folding the interlocked end flaps and marginal flaps against the body tube and encircling the interlocked flaps with a strap loop, said last means pivotally supporting a strap tensioning tool and a strap joint forming tool which are moved into operating position by this last means.

13. A machine for end closure of containers wherein each container is characterized by a body tube having end flaps folded into interlocking engagement with marginal flaps On an end cap comprising, means for folding together the end flaps of the body tube with the marginal flaps of the end cap, said means being operated by levers actuated for rotating cams, said cams being mounted on a shaft connected to be driven through an electro-magnetic clutch by a power means and to be stopped by an electro-magnetic brake, said clutch and brake being electrically connected for alternate energization and deenergization to provide incremental movements of the shaft for one entire revolution of the shaft.

14. A machine for end closure of containers wherein each container is characterized by a body tube having end flaps folded into interlocking engagement with marginal flaps on an end cap comprising, support means for supporting the unfolded end cap beneath the body tube with the end flaps resting flatly on the marginal flaps, means for holding the end flaps in contact with the inner portions of the marginal flaps and the inner portions of the marginal flaps against the support means, folding means for folding the outer portions of the marginal flaps around the end flaps into interlocking engagement with them, auxiliary holding means pivoted on said folding means for holding the outer portions of the marginal flaps in engagement with the end flaps, and means for folding the interlocked marginal flaps and end flaps against the body tube.

15. A machine for end closure of containers wherein each container is characterized by a body tube having end flaps folded into interlocking engagement with marginal flaps on an end cap comprising, support means for supporting the unfolded end cap beneath the body tube with the end flaps resting flatly on the marginal flaps, means for holding the end flaps in contact with the inner portions of the marginal flaps and the inner portions of the marginal flaps against the support means, folding means for folding the outer portions of the marginal flaps around the end flaps into interlocking engagement with them, auxiliary holding means pivoted on said folding means for holding the outer portions of the marginal flaps in engagement with the end flaps, means for folding the interlocked marginal flaps and end flaps against the body tube including means 

